toyo omega 4x5 cameras

[Doc West]

Is there a place on the Web where a clear differentiation between specs of many different Toyo Omega 4x5 cameras are set out, so one can see if they are getting more complicated in an alphabetical, alphanumerical or some other order -- I have no idea how they add letters, or what they mean, A, CF, D, D45M, E, etc. ?

[Norm_5106]

You might try Mamiya.com and they might be able to help you. Over the years thier site has been most helpful.

[Glenn Kroeger]

Probably not... but you can try:

www.toyoview.com (http://www.toyoview.com)

which is the MAC site for Toyo products. There are some user forums there that are monitored by MAC staff... but probably asking specific questions on this forum will get you the most informed answers possible!

[Gem Singer]

Toyo Omega's are not the same as the Toyo View cameras. The Toyo Omega cameras were dis-continued in the late 1980's or early 1990's. That was before Mamiya began distributing the Toyo line. I think they were both made by Sakai in Japan, however.

[xkaes]

The "Omega" name comes from the Omega Division of the Berkey Marketing Companies (BMC). In the 1970's, the Omega Division marketed lots of photographic gear, such as enlargers & Rodenstock lenses -- which often carried the Omega name. The lenses were labeled "OMEGAR" & "OMEGARON" lenses. Similarly, the Toyo view cameras were sold as "OMEGA VIEW". In each case they were the same camera or lens. The same thing happened with Bell & Howell selling Canon cameras, for instance, and there are many other examples.

In the 1980's, for various reasons, Toyo view cameras became labeled as TOYO VIEW, but the cameras were the same. (Similarly, the Rodenstock Omegaron lenses became ROGONAR.) At that time, Toyo sold the 45D which was the simplest camera (non-interchangeable bellows) for about $150 -- street price. For twice that price, you could get the 45F. The 45G was priced at $600.

Later, in the 1990's, Toyo dropped the 45D and 45F, and introduced the 45C, GII, and GX. The 45C sold for $1,000 (the same price as the earlier 45G, adjusted for inflation), while the 45GII went for $2,500, and the YAW-FREE GX was about $3,100.

[Ulophot]

I had an Omega 45F. I chose it over the E because it had a rotating back, which I thought I would use, though I barely ever did. I believe that otherwise the two were identical. The D was a slightly less elaborate model, I believe, having fewer movements or, perhaps, not the geared fine-focus movements front and back. I seem to recall that there was later a model with a short rail, which may have come with a bag bellows, but I don't remember the details.

[Vaughan]

My research on Toyo monorail view cameras: early models used a rail design that has the square locator key on top. Later models use a rail with the key on the bottom. The rails are not interchangeable between early and late models. The late model rails were initially made in silver and changed to black. I don't know whether the silver and black rails can be used together (ie, dunno about using silver base rails with and black extensions and vise versa) but they should otherwise be interchangeable with compatible standards and accessories.

For all models, the lens boards, bellows and backs are interchangeable. The bellows face plate design changed from flat metal to moulded plastic at some point. They are interchangeable, but the bellows are different sizes.

[xkaes]

I just ran across this instruction sheet from TOYO for installing their 4x5 fresnel screen. It doesn't list all of the 4x5" studio models -- such as the GII -- but it might help. They are not listed in chronological or feature/quality/cost order. I just installed a TOYO fresnel screen on my 45C -- that I didn't even know that I had. It sure helps brighten it up!!!

https://toyoview.com/content/fresnel_installation_instructions.pdf

[djdister]

I had the Omega View 45E which was definitely a budget 4x5 camera, but it was all I could afford as a student in the late 70s. The name plate was just some sort of printed adhesive metal tape...

256246 256247

[xkaes]

The 45E and the 45F had the same owners manual -- so they were fraternal twins. The F came with a revolving back -- it was an option on the E. The F could also take a bag bellows -- I don't get why the E couldn't.

The D was the budget model with a non-removable bellows, etc. -- the F cost twice as much as the D.